For school breaks, teacher strikes, and in-service days, we have you covered with full day camps filled with fun and safe activities. We create an environment where kids can be kids.
Students join others in their age group in exploring the neighborhood and nearby natural areas with experienced counselors.
Costs
$80/day
$400/week
Pick-Up & Drop Off
The playground at Rose City Park (corner of NE 62nd and NE Thompson)
OR
Rose City Park United Methodist Church
Hours
Full-Day/Summer: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Contact
Counselors can be reached via text or call at (503) 342-8155 with questions, concerns, or coordination.
As a child-led program, we have to be ready for anything. That’s why we not only keep a lot of possible activities on hand, we also listen to what our explorers want to do and make it happen. It makes for a more eclectic program than some more niche camps, but we think that’s what makes our camp the best: putting the choice in the hands of the ones the program is actually for. Some of our many options include, but are not limited to:
- Groundies
- 1d4 Neighborhood Hike
- Raccoon Trail
- Stealth Games
- 400
- Wild Crafts
- Dress-up
- Scavenger Hunts
- Rockhounding
- Reading
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Bug Hunts
- Sports
- Art
- Building Fairy Houses
- Making Flower Crowns
- Foam Sword Battles
- Making Up Our Own Games
While we always have a vast array of games and activities available for our explorers to choose from, our full day programs give us time to offer optional counselor-led daily specials that give explorers a chance to learn skills using a more traditional methodology. Of course, explorers are always encouraged to put their own twist on things and make whatever activity we’re doing totally their own. Some of these daily specials include but are not limited to:
- Crochet and/or Knitting
- Creative Writing
- How to be a Dungeon Master for Dungeons and Dragons
- Candle Making
- Natural Dyes
- Making Our Own Paper
- Birding
- Introductory Foraging
- Fire Safety and Crafting
- Making Butter
- Plant Identification
- Trail Signs
- Animal Tracks Identification
- Starting and Keeping a Nature Journal
- Pickling Vegetables
What to include at registration
Portland Outdoor Explorers is an inclusive camp that seeks to make all kids feel safe and comfortable at our camp in order for them to have the most fun possible. For that reason, we ask a few important things during registration that go beyond their name and age. These will include:
- Name
- Age
- Preferred pronouns
- Any allergies (food, topical, etc.)
- Any medications (please only include prescription medication as we cannot allow OTC medications at camp)
- Mental health notes (this can include any diagnosed or suspected neurodivergence, language to use/avoid (example: “walking feet” versus “don’t run”) things that help/hinder if your explorer becomes dysregulated, if they struggle with transitions, etc.)
- Other notes (this is anything else you feel is important for us to know about your explorer, such as whether they are prone to running away, or need assistance with certain things. If you’re not sure, you can always reach out!)
PLEASE BE AWARE:
POE staff are NOT certified or licensed to perform holds of any kind for children who may need intervention due to emotional distress or behavioral issues which may present a danger to themselves or others. This includes but is not limited to running away from camp, a tendency toward violence (hitting, kicking, biting, etc.), or destruction of property (whether it belongs to themselves or others). POE staff are NOT certified or licensed to assist children in the restroom. We can give reminders, flush toilets, and help get paper towels or soap. However, we are unable to assist in any situation that would require a staff member and a child to be together in any state of undress. We are supportive of all needs, however, we are unable and/or unlicensed to meet and/or support some such as those listed above.
If you are uncertain whether POE staff would be unable and/or unlicensed to meet your potential child’s needs, please reach out to us at info@pdxoutdoorexplorers.com to discuss.
It is always our goal to provide a safe and fun environment for our explorers, which may be impossible if your child requires more than we are able to provide.